Honor and Glory

The PGA of America and Baltusrol dedicated a plaque to Jack Nicklaus next to the 18th tee on Wednesday, giving the Golden Bear the perfect opportunity to relive the golden memories of his victories in the 1967 and 1980 U.S. Opens. 

SPRINGFIELD, N.J. (AP) -- Jack Nicklaus let the memories flow, easily recounting the tough choices he faced on the 18th tee at Baltusrol Golf Club before closing out two of his 18 major victories.

The details of the 72nd hole in the final round of the 1967 and '80 U.S. Opens came easily, and Nicklaus recalled his entire thought process as if the rounds had occurred earlier in the day -- not decades ago.

The PGA of America and Baltusrol took a huge step in making sure Nicklaus' exploits at the A.W. Tillinghast-designed course will never be forgotten, dedicating a plaque next to the 18th tee in honor of his accomplishments on Wednesday.

"I think they picked an appropriate place,'' Nicklaus said.

It's the latest in a string of honors for Nicklaus this year. Last month, he played in a major for the last time with an emotional farewell at St. Andrews.

Plenty has changed since Nicklaus edged Arnold Palmer to win the '67 Open and broke Ben Hogan's championship scoring record in the process, and since he held off a late-charging Isao Aoki to claim the '80 Open at Baltusrol, setting another scoring mark with the victory.

For one, the downhill, dogleg left par-5 closing hole at Baltusrol will play a bit longer for the 87th edition of the PGA Championship, which starts Thursday. This year, players will be moving a few tee boxes back because the hole has been stretched to 554 yards.

But it's only fitting that the pros walk past the 4 1/2-foot high stone wall with the plaque detailing Nicklaus' success.

One thing that hasn't changed is the expectation the 18th will play a huge role in the outcome of the championship.

When Nicklaus stepped to the 18th tee in the final round of the '67 Open, he held a three-stroke lead over Palmer and needed a birdie to break Hogan's four-round total of 276.

"I had to make the decision of whether I wanted to go for Hogan's record or whether I wanted to win the golf tournament. ... I elected to try to win the golf tournament,'' Nicklaus said Wednesday.

"I played a 1-iron off the tee and ended up in not a very good lie and hit a fat 8-iron trying to land it up short of the lake and left myself 287 yards and had a 1-iron.''

The outcome was more than Nicklaus could have expected. His approach sailed over a bunker fronting the green and the ball settled within birdie range. He made the putt, winning the title and breaking Hogan's mark.

"I can't say I aimed it over the bunker, but got it on the green and made the putt,'' he said.

In 1980, Nicklaus held a two-shot lead over Aoki heading to the last, and followed a 3-wood off the tee with a long iron lay-up shot. He hit a wedge to the green and, after Aoki narrowly missed making an eagle, closed out the win with another birdie. In the win, he broke his own scoring mark, finishing at 272.

"The 18th tee has been a very special place to me for decisions,'' Nicklaus said.

Nicklaus also recalled his opening 63 in the '80 Open, but not for the reasons one would expect.

"I missed a short putt at the last hole. I do remember that. About that long,'' he said, faking anger and holding his hands about 3 feet apart, "a little, tiny putt.

"Hit it on the edge, chipped it up like that and missed the putt for 62. I do remember that. I don't remember anything else about the round. I'm still mad at it.''

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